The replacement market became active even before the first ball of IPL 2026 was bowled. From controversial English withdrawals to sudden hamstring tears, the drama off the field is as intense as the action on it. Below is the updated and official list of every player move made across the ten franchises as of late April.
Kolkata Knight Riders: The Hardest Hit Team
No team has suffered more than KKR in IPL 2026. Their pace attack effectively collapsed before the midway point of the season. First, Harshit Rana bowed out with a knee injury, leading the team to sign Navdeep Saini. Soon after, Akash Deep suffered a back problem and made way for Saurabh Dubey.
Furthermore, the team lost Mustafizur Rahman due to a workload agreement between the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. In a surprising move, KKR brought in Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, who has since become a standout performer. These constant changes explain why KKR has struggled to defend totals during the early phase of IPL 2026.
Chennai Super Kings: Depth Tested by Piling Injuries
CSK is currently the second most affected side in IPL 2026. The fans were heartbroken when young sensation Ayush Mhatre was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Consequently, the team signed Akash Madhwal for INR 30 lakh to fill the gap.
The bowling woes continued as Nathan Ellis and Khaleel Ahmed also faced fitness issues. While Spencer Johnson joined as a replacement for Ellis, the team is still searching for someone to take Khaleel’s spot. Moreover, the legendary MS Dhoni has missed games due to a calf strain, leaving a massive void in the CSK lineup that has yet to be officially filled.
Major Moves in Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad
One of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026 was Ben Duckett’s sudden withdrawal from Delhi Capitals. He chose to focus on Test cricket, which might lead to a two-year ban from the league. Delhi moved fast to sign 21-year-old English leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for INR 75 lakh to strengthen their spin department.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad performed a total overhaul of their seam attack. After Jack Edwards and David Payne went down with injuries, the franchise brought in Dilshan Madushanka and Gerald Coetzee. Luckily for SRH, these new additions have performed brilliantly, helping the team maintain its reputation for express pace.
Quick Glance: Full IPL 2026 Replacement Table
| Franchise | Player Out | Replacement | Reason |
| KKR | Harshit Rana | Navdeep Saini | Knee Injury |
| CSK | Ayush Mhatre | Akash Madhwal | Hamstring |
| DC | Ben Duckett | Rehan Ahmed | Withdrawal |
| SRH | Brydon Carse | Dilshan Madushanka | Hand Injury |
| RR | Sam Curran | Dasun Shanaka | Groin Injury |
| GT | Tom Banton | Connor Esterhuizen | Finger Injury |
| LSG | Wanindu Hasaranga | George Linde | NOC Issue |
| MI | Atharva Ankolekar | Krish Bhagat | Knee Injury |